Budgeting apps lead the way in helping Brits save an average of £240 a year | Personal Finance | Finance

November 18, 2025 3,296

Brits could save nearly £2,000 per year by using these 10 digital tools to track everything from their energy usage to petrol prices, according to research. A survey of 2,000 adults found budgeting apps are the biggest money-savers, with 38% of people who keep tabs on spending using one, saving an average of £240 a year.

Smart meter displays are also proving a hit, as 38% of households that track their finances use one, helping them shave around £174 off their annual bills. When it comes to holidays, 15% have set up flight trackers – snapping up bargain getaways and saving an average of £206. Even petrol prices are under scrutiny, with 15% of budget-tracking Brits monitoring the cost before heading to the pump, saving themselves around £155 a year.

Financial advisor and author Bola Sol has teamed up with Smart Energy GB, which commissioned the research to highlight how tracking your money can help you save.

She said: “It’s one of the best ways to stay on top of your finances and find real savings.”

“Checking your bank balance or a smart meter display has become as normal as checking the weather,” she added. “These small daily check-ins help build better habits and a healthier relationship with money.”

The study found that 86% of people who use tools or apps to track their spending feel more in control of their finances. Additionally, more than half (55%) of these users said that saving money has become the most important reason for using these tracking tools. In fact, 43% began tracking because they wanted to plan better for future financial goals.

Half of all respondents now prefer getting real-time updates about their money. Four in 10 of them said instant updates help them stick to a budget, while the same number like seeing exactly where their money goes at a glance.

A third (32%) believe it helps them make quicker financial decisions, and 24% enjoy being able to analyse their spending by category.

Four in ten Brits use their smart meter display to monitor their energy usage – and of these, 42% check it at least once a day. As a result, 66% now believe the device has become a key part of their household budgeting strategy.

Victoria Bacon, director at Smart Energy GB, added: “Making the most of tracking tools is a simple step for anyone looking to save money.

“Our research found that frequent and regular access to spending information, rather than a monthly statement, is important for many and smart meters give households exactly that.

“They come with a display that shows energy usage in pounds and pence and in near-real time. They’re installed at no extra cost and help contribute to savings on household energy bills.”